Enterprise area status a boost for Dundee's renewable energy hopes

Dundee's fledgling renewables sector has been given a major boost by being declared as one of Scotland's new enterprise areas.

The city council hopes the announcement will support efforts to bring jobs to Dundee's port area.

By Graham Huband, business editor
Published in the Courier : 18.01.12
Published online : 18.01.12 @ 05.06pm

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Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed on Tuesday that the twin ports at Dundee and Leith — which are both owned and operated by Forth Ports — were being awarded the status under the new Renewable Energy Enterprise East Area umbrella.

The Scottish Government said the incentives available under the new scheme would depend on the specific site involved, but will include significant tax reliefs for companies looking to locate in Scotland and a streamlining of the planning process.

Councillor Ken Guild, the leader of Dundee City Council and the chairman of the Dundee Renewables group, said the new designation could help kickstart the renewables industry locally.

He said Dundee — which had previously been identified as a key green energy site within the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan — had specifically lobbied for assistance for the development of an offshore wind base rather than dilute the city's pitch by also looking for incentives for other more mature business sectors.

The city has, therefore, not been included in the life sciences enterprise area that was also announced, despite the strength of the sector surrounding Dundee University.

Mr Guild said the new designation for the port was exactly what they city had hoped for.

He said: ''We concentrated our efforts on getting an enterprise zone specifically for renewables rather than taking a scattergun approach. In an enterprise area, companies are given incentives to move into that area so it will be easier for Dundee to attract the major players. This should give an added impetus to decisions to come to Dundee.''

It is hoped the dock's new status will encourage companies such as utilities giant SSE to progress plans to make Dundee a key focus of their North Sea renewables plans. The Perth-based company signed a memorandum of understanding with Dundee City Council, Forth Ports and Scottish Enterprise to explore options for a new manufacturing plant to be established at Dundee Port to service the offshore wind sector.

Any such development would create hundreds of jobs directly and in the associated supply chain.

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